Ken and Lima admit they are getting paranoid that James Harden still has not put pen to paper on his new deal, wondering aloud whether the delay signals something more than routine offseason logistics. They tie the holdup to the Cavs' broader roster gridlock, from the Peyton Watson versus Jonathan Kuminga trade decision to how much cap flexibility Cleveland actually has, and argue no team should hesitate to offer the 37-year-old a ring-chasing discount. Ken closes by calling a Harden departure a potential franchise disaster that would instantly shift the conversation to Koby Altman's job security, before a lighter tangent early in the segment about the hosts' old school principals.
Why Haven't the Cavs Signed James Harden Yet?
James Harden #1 of the Cleveland Cavaliers handles the ball during the game against the New York Knicks during Game Four of the 2026 NBA Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2026 at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
Photo by David L. Nemec/NBAE via Getty Images
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By The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima
Published Aug 18, 2026, 07:05 AM ETUpdated Aug 18, 2026, 07:03 AM ET
The Ken Carman Show with Anthony Lima
The only place to talk about the Cleveland sports scene weekday mornings is with Ken Carman and Anthony Lima from 6-10a! The show guides you through…
